An apparatus comprises at least one processor; at least one memory storing at least one program; a light source; and a capturing unit configured to acquire image data by capturing an image formed on a medium, wherein the program, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to extract information multiplexed in the image from an image captured by the capturing unit, adjust the light amount of the light source to a light amount that accords with a reflection intensity of the medium on which the image is formed, capture the image, and extract information from the image.

The present invention relate generally to signal encoding and decoding. One claim recites a method comprising: obtaining color image data or color video data, the color image data or color video data comprising an encoded signal pattern, the encoded signal pattern aiding detection of an encoded message, the pattern comprising first frequency components and second frequency components, the color image data or color video data comprising first color data and second color data, in which the first color data comprises the first frequency components encoded therein, and the second color data comprises the second frequency components encoded therein; combining the first color data and the second color data, said combining yielding combined color data; utilizing one or more processors or electronic processing circuitry, detecting the encoded signal pattern from the combined color data, said detecting yielding rotation and scale information; and using the rotation and scale information to detect the encoded message from the combined color data. Of course, other combinations and claims are provided too.

Computer implemented method for generating a hash value (110) is disclosed, the method comprises the following steps: i) Providing a first digital RGB image (112) having first RGB colors of a physical object (114); ii) Combining first transaction data (116) and the first digital RGB image (112), thereby generating a second RGB image (118) having second RGB colors; iii) Converting (128) color values of the second RGB image (118) from RGB color space (130) to a secondary color space (132) having at least four primary colors and determining (134) a number of respectively colored pixels for each primary color of the secondary color space (132); iv) Generating (136) the hash value (110) by converting the determined number of respectively colored pixels for each primary color of the secondary color space (132) to hexadecimal numerals.

A method (400) and a system (200) for generating a chromatically modified image of one or more components on a microscopic slide (303) is disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, the method includes obtaining the image of the one or more components on the microscopic slide (303). Additionally, the method (400) includes processing the image to identify the one or more components. The method (400) further includes segmenting at least one part of the one or more components identified from the image. Furthermore, the method (400) includes chromatically modifying the at least one part of the one or more components and generating a chromatically modified image of the one or more components.

Systems and methods for dynamically and automatically generating digital watermarks are provided. Watermark payloads utilized in generating the digital watermarks are altered based upon changing conditions, such as environmental characteristics associated with playback or distribution of media content. Changing conditions may also encompass a change in the distribution/presentation chain of devices associated with the playback or distribution of the media content.

A printing system that is communicable with an image management server through a network includes an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus. The information processing apparatus controls a display to display a print setting screen for receiving a print setting that designates printing of a specific color image superimposed on an image to be printed, transmits the specific color image corresponding to the print setting to the image management server, acquires storage location information from the image management server, and transmits print data to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a printer. The image forming apparatus receives the print data, acquires the specific color image from the image management server, generates image data for overprinting the specific color image on the image to be printed, and controls the printer to perform printing based on the image data.

The present disclosure relates generally to signal encoding for printed objects such as product packaging, labels and hangtags. One implementation obtains a color image representing CMY color channels, and alters the color image to include an encoded signal by altering values representing CIELAB a* and b*, all the while keeping L* on or within a predetermined tolerance of a contour representing a constant value. Other implementations are provided.

A document determination system includes a server apparatus that stores document data, a second multi-function printer that generates an authentic printed product, which is an authentic printed product in which a document represented by document data stored in the server apparatus is printed and in which at least a portion of the document is printed in composite black that is black represented using ink of a plurality of colors, and a third multi-function printer that reads a printed surface of a reading target including the authentic printed product and a duplicate of the authentic printed product. The server apparatus determines, based on whether at least the portion of the document represented by read data generated through reading by the third multi-function printer is printed in composite black, whether the reading target read by the third multi-function printer is the authentic printed product.

An information processing apparatus sets a color mode in place of a monochrome mode on condition that the monochrome mode and multiplexing of additional information on a print target image are set as print settings based on an input image data; generates, based on the input image data, color image data corresponding to printing in a color mode which represents a color of the monochromated print target image by a value of a color signal; performs, for the color image data generated by the generation unit, processing for multiplexing the additional information on the print target image; and causes a printing apparatus to print, in the color mode, a multiplexed image on which the additional information is multiplexed.

An image output device, includes a controller and an image outputter. The controller, when a specific area that matches a specific condition is present in a first image, stores, in a storing area, information that is based on the specific area, generates an identification code that includes access information for accessing the stored information that is based on the specific area, and outputs a second image where the specific area of the first image is replaced with an image that includes the identification code.